My wife and I love this picture. So much so that, when our son gave it to us after we acquired our ginger cat, we framed it and put it on display. We found it funny, but, more than that, it also seemed true to life, because, when the kitten wanted food, his vociferous demands indicated that he definitely saw himself as a lion!

Yet the picture has a deeper message too. It also conveys the idea that we all have grand aspirations. In fact you could say it is a graphic illustration of an engaged employee! Unfortunately we often seem to forget that – especially in our dealings with other people, and employees in particular. Nobody wants to do a bad job. We all want to be lions. So, are you giving all your employees the chance to be the lion they envisage, or do you keep them as kittens?

It is a cliché to say “the chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” Yet it is no less true for all that. And an organisation is no different: every individual has a role in its success. Anyone not pulling their weight diminishes the organisation and its performance.

You need to understand, though, that we are also ultimately our own harshest critics, and we all know when we are not doing all we are capable of. This diminishes how we see ourselves. That is when, in our own eyes, we become pussy cats instead of lions. This is unhealthy and creates a downward spiral in performance.

Thus you need to ensure that every employee sees himself or herself as a lion. If you have an organisation where everyone sees themselves as a lion you will have the employee engagement that assures your success. That is ultimately what my ‘Every Individual Matters’ model will help you achieve.